Insulation container for receiving temperature-sensitive products

ABSTRACT

Insulation container for holding temperature-sensitive products, comprising at least one vacuum insulation element, the at least one vacuum insulation element coming into contact with at least two connecting surfaces, with a sealant is arranged on the connecting surfaces in order to reduce heat exchange along the connecting surfaces.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to German utility patent application number 20 2020 107 477.6 filed Dec. 22, 2020 and titled “insulation container for receiving temperature-sensitive products”. The subject matter of patent application number 20 2020 107 477.6 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an insulation container for receiving temperature-sensitive products according to the independent claim.

BACKGROUND

Thermal insulation means the reduction of passage of thermal energy through a shell to protect a space or body from cooling down or being heated.

It is known from prior art to provide insulation containers for receiving temperature-sensitive products, which are equipped with at least one insulation element. This insulation element is connected via at least two connecting surfaces to form an insulation container. The insulation containers, for example, consist of a flexible material or of boards which are connected to each other. Containers of this type provide passive thermal protection for valuable temperature-sensitive products, such as pharmaceutical products. This is particularly crucial because the standards for storage and transport of pharmaceutical products, for example, are very high and must be demonstrably maintained throughout the entire supply chain.

The insulation elements used should have the lowest possible thermal conductivity λ in order to achieve a good thermal insulation effect. Thermal conduction means the transport of heat in a medium without mass transfer (as is the case in convection, for example). Materials with low thermal conductivity are referred to as thermal insulation materials and are used to reduce heat or cold losses.

However, thermal bridges may occur at the abutting surfaces where the individual boards are connected to each other, where undesired exchange of heat between the interior of the insulation container and the environment occurs. Thermal bridges arise particularly strongly, for example, due to manufacturing tolerances resulting from the production of the boards or uneven surfaces, which lead to corresponding opening gaps at the connecting surfaces. Heat exchange (or heat transfer) is a physical process taking place between at least two media, during which the thermal energy of the medium with the higher temperature is transferred to another medium with a lower temperature. Heat exchange results in heating or cooling of a substance system or evaporation or condensation or freezing or melting of a substance. This results in deterioration of the insulation properties of the container and heating or cooling of the temperature-sensitive products placed inside the insulation container. Leakage in insulation may lead to serious loss of time and resources within the supply chain. The products may then under some circumstances no longer be usable, or only usable to a limited extent.

SUMMARY

The invention pertains to the technical field of insulation of containers for receiving products to be stored or transported at specific temperatures, in particular the improvement of thermal insulation of such containers. The invention has the object of providing an insulation container which overcomes the disadvantages in prior art and, in particular, enables improved sealing of the insulation containers and thus reduced heat exchange along the connecting surfaces.

This object is achieved by an insulation container for receiving temperature-sensitive products having the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments form the subject-matter of the associated subclaims.

The invention encompasses an insulation container for receiving temperature-sensitive products. The insulation container is equipped with at least one vacuum insulation element. This vacuum insulation element is connected via at least two connecting surfaces. A sealing means is disposed at the connecting surfaces to reduce heat exchange along the connecting surfaces by closing and sealing, respectively, of the opening gaps created between the vacuum insulation elements. This enables improved sealing of the insulation containers and thus reduced heat exchange in the region of the connecting surfaces. Thermal bridges created due to manufacturing tolerances resulting from the production of the boards or uneven surfaces, which lead to corresponding opening gaps at the connecting surfaces, are thus reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, the invention will be explained in greater detail with reference to drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of an insulation container according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the insulation container of FIG. 1 in a partially connected state;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the insulation container of FIG. 1 in a completely closed state with a sheating;

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view through a vacuum insulation element with a sheathing;

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the insulation container of FIG. 1 with corner elements; and

FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of the insulation container of FIG. 1 with corner elements and straps for stabilizing the vacuum insulation elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to an advantageous aspect, the sealing means is disposed between the connecting surfaces in each case completely or partially along the connecting surface. For example, the sealing means can be disposed in a narrow strip along the connecting surface which extends over only a part of the width of the connecting surface.

Preferably, the sealing means is designed to be flexibly deformable. This allows any gaps that may exist to be compensated for when the boards are exposed to a certain amount of pressure against each other. Preferably, the thickness of the sealing means is in the range from 0.5 mm to 10 mm, in particular 2 mm to 4 mm, because manufacturing tolerances above these ranges do not usually occur.

It has proven to be a technically good alternative if the sealing means is disposed laterally at the abutment joint of the connecting surfaces in each case completely or partially along the connecting face. For example, a coated (aluminium) foil can be employed as the sealing means.

It is particularly preferred if the sealing means is designed in each case in one piece or in multiple pieces at the connecting surfaces. Advantageously, the sealing means is designed in one piece, with a precise fit in conformity with the connecting surface. According to a further aspect, the sealing means is designed in multiple parts and can thus be disposed several times in succession in the direction of heat transfer, for example in the form of parallel strips.

According to a preferred aspect, the sealing means comprises an adhesive, in particular an adhesive tape, a bonding agent, spray latex, or a combination thereof. The sealing means may hold the connecting surfaces together due to adhesion, thereby increasing the stability of the insulation container while reducing the passage of air to reduce heat exchange at the connecting surfaces.

According to an advantageous aspect, the sealing means comprises a heat transfer minimizing material, particularly a thermal insulation material, a swelling tape, foam material, or a combination thereof. For example, the thermal insulation material is an insulation foam. The swelling tape may be made of a thermal insulation material and simultaneously minimize air passage at the connecting surfaces.

It is particularly advantageous if the insulation container further comprises four side insulation elements, a bottom insulation element, and a lid insulation element. The four side insulation elements and the bottom insulation element are brought into abutment with each other along the respective connecting surfaces in such a way as to form a receiving space which is open on one side for receiving the temperature-sensitive products. The lid insulation element and the four side surface elements are brought into abutment with each other along the respective connecting surfaces in such a way as to completely cover the receiving space. A sealing means is disposed at and along, respectively, each connecting surface. In this manner, an insulation container in the form of a box can be improved.

According to an alternative aspect, the insulation container further comprises four side insulation elements, a bottom insulation element, and a lid insulation element, wherein the four side insulation elements and the bottom insulation element are brought into abutment with each other along the respective connecting surfaces in such a way as to form a receiving space which is open on one side for receiving the temperature-sensitive products, wherein the lid insulation element and the four side surface elements are brought into abutment with each other along the respective connecting surfaces in such a way as to completely cover the receiving space, wherein a sealing means is disposed only on and/or along the connecting surface between the lid insulation element and the four side surface elements and/or the bottom insulation element and the four side surface elements. As a result of the sealing means disposed in this manner, when the lid of a box is closed, pressure can be applied to the boards from top to bottom such that the sealing means are squeezed or pressed together at the connecting surfaces so as to achieve an improved sealing efficiency.

According to a preferred aspect, the vacuum insulation elements comprise a vacuum insulation panel. Thus, when multiple vacuum insulation panels are used in one insulation container, the connecting surfaces formed at the abutment joints can be sealed in an advantageous manner.

It has proven to be a technically good alternative if the vacuum insulation panels of the vacuum insulation elements are each embodied as a single layer or as multiple layers. If several layers of vacuum insulation panels are used, adjacent connection abutment joints can also be sealed separately.

Advantageously, the insulation container further comprises a sheathing which completely or partially surrounds the insulation container, the product or the vacuum insulation elements. For example, a sheathing made of foil prevents water vapor and air from reaching between the vacuum insulation elements.

According to a preferred aspect, corner elements (edge protection elements) are disposed at the outer edges of the insulation container formed along the connecting surfaces. These corner elements are designed in such a way as to at least partially enclose the outer side of the vacuum insulation elements. In this way, the insulation container can be protected from impacts and associated damage caused to the products located in the insulation container.

According to an advantageous aspect, at least one strap for stabilizing the vacuum insulation elements is disposed along the outer sides of the vacuum insulation elements. This allows the vacuum insulation elements to be held firmly together and, for example, due to the elasticity of the strap, contact pressure can be applied in such a way as to press the connecting surfaces together.

FIG. 1 shows an insulation container 1 for receiving temperature-sensitive products. The insulation container 1 comprises at least one vacuum insulation element 2, 5, 6, which has at least two connecting surfaces 7. The two connecting surfaces are brought into abutment with each other. A sealing means 4 is disposed between the two connecting surfaces 7 to reduce heat exchange along the connecting surfaces 7. This enables improved sealing of the insulation container 1 and thus reduced heat exchange in the region of the connecting surfaces 7 by closing of opening gaps created between the vacuum insulation elements (2, 5, 6).

FIG. 1 also shows an insulation container 1 according to the invention with a sealing means 4 which extends completely along the connecting surface 7. For example, the sealing means may also extend partially along the connecting surface 7. The sealing means 4 is designed in one piece at the connecting surfaces 7. For example, the sealing means may also be designed in multiple pieces. The sealing means 4 consists of an adhesive tape, a bonding agent, spray latex, a foam material or a combination thereof. It is also possible that the sealing means 4 consists of an adhesive, in particular a thermal insulation material, a swelling tape or a combination thereof.

FIG. 2 shows an insulation container 1 according to the invention, which comprises four side insulation elements 2, a bottom insulation element 5 and a lid insulation element 6. The four side insulation elements 2 and the bottom insulation element 5 are brought into abutment with each other along the respective connecting surfaces 7 in such a way that a receiving space 3 which is open on one side for receiving the temperature-sensitive products (not shown) is created. The lid insulation element 6 is placed onto the connecting surfaces 7 of the four side surface elements 2 in such a way that the receiving space 3 is completely covered. A sealing means 4 is disposed at each of the connecting surfaces 7.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of an insulation container 1 according to the invention which comprises a vacuum insulation panel 2, 5, 6. The vacuum insulation panels 2, 5, 6 are each embodied as a single layer. Alternatively, the vacuum insulation panels 2, 5, 6 can also be embodied as multiple layers.

FIG. 3 also shows a complete sheathing 9 of an insulation container 1 according to the invention. This sheathing 9, for example, can be embodied as a foil, foil tube or foil bag. It is conceivable that this sheathing 9 is shrunk onto the insulation container 1 by means of thermal treatment. It is further conceivable that the sheathing 9 is embodied as an additional thermal pocket which completely or partially surrounds the product 1. Optionally, a thermal hood can be slipped over the insulation container 1 as a sheathing 9.

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view through a vacuum insulation element 2, 5, 6 with a sheathing 9 which completely surrounds the vacuum insulation element 2, 5, 6.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of an insulation container 1 according to the invention. Corner elements 8 are disposed along the outer edges of the insulation container 1. The corner elements 8 partially enclose the outer side of the vacuum insulation elements 2, 5, 6. It is also conceivable that the corner elements 8 completely enclose the outer side of the vacuum insulation elements 2, 5, 6. In this case, the corner elements 8 protrude over the connecting surfaces 7 and serve as an additional lateral cover and thus as additional insulation along the connecting surfaces 7.

FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of an insulation container 1 according to the invention, which has three straps 10 for stabilizing the vacuum insulation elements 2, 5, 6 disposed along the outer sides. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Insulation container for receiving temperature-sensitive products, comprising at least one vacuum insulation element, wherein the at least one vacuum insulation element comes into abutment against at least two connecting surfaces, wherein a sealing means is disposed on the connecting surfaces in order to reduce heat exchange along the connecting surfaces by closing of opening gaps created between the vacuum insulation elements.
 2. Insulation container according to claim 1, wherein the sealing means is disposed between the connecting surfaces in each case completely or partially along the connecting surface.
 3. Insulation container according to claim 1, wherein the sealing means is designed to be flexibly deformable and has a thickness in the range from 0.5 mm to 10 mm, in particular 2 mm to 4 mm.
 4. Insulation container according to claim 1, wherein the sealing means is disposed laterally at the abutment joint of the connecting surfaces in each case completely or partially along the connecting surface.
 5. Insulation container according to claim 1, wherein the sealing means in each case is designed in one piece or in multiple pieces at the connecting surfaces.
 6. Insulation container according to claim 1, wherein the sealing means comprises an adhesive, in particular an adhesive tape, a bonding agent, spray latex or a combination thereof.
 7. Insulation container according to claim 1, wherein the sealing means comprises a heat transfer minimizing material, in particular a thermal insulation material, a swelling tape, foam material or a combination thereof.
 8. Insulation container according to claim 1, further comprising four side insulation elements, a bottom insulation element and a lid insulation element, wherein the four side insulation elements and the bottom insulation element are brought into abutment with each other along the respective connecting surfaces so as to form a receiving space which is open on one side for receiving the temperature-sensitive products, wherein the lid insulation element and the four side surface elements are brought into abutment with each other along the respective connecting surfaces in such a way as to completely cover the receiving space, wherein a sealing means is disposed on and/or along each connecting surface.
 9. Insulation container according to claim 1, further comprising four side insulation elements, a bottom insulation element and a lid insulation element, wherein the four side insulation elements and the bottom insulation element are brought into abutment with each other along the respective connecting surfaces so as to form a receiving space which is open on one side for receiving the temperature-sensitive products, wherein the lid insulation element and the four side surface elements are brought into abutment with each other along the respective connecting surfaces in such a way as to completely cover the receiving space, wherein a sealing means is disposed only at and/or along the connecting surface between the lid insulation element and the four side surface elements and/or the bottom insulation element and the four side surface elements.
 10. Insulation container according to claim 1, wherein the vacuum insulation elements comprise a vacuum insulation panel.
 11. Insulation container according to claim 10, wherein the vacuum insulation panels of the vacuum insulation elements are each embodied as a single layer or as multiple layers.
 12. Insulation container according to claim 1, further comprising a sheathing completely or partially surrounding the insulation container, the product or the vacuum insulation elements.
 13. Insulation container according to claim 1, wherein corner elements are disposed at the outer edges of the insulation container formed along the connecting surfaces, which are designed in such a way as to at least partially enclose the outer side of the vacuum insulation elements.
 14. Insulation container according to claim 1, wherein at least one strap for stabilizing the vacuum insulation elements is disposed along the outer sides of the vacuum insulation elements. 